Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA): Introduction

1. Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA): Introduction OAS/IABIN ReefFix Workshop SMMA Presenter: Nadia Cazaubon The Beacon Soufriere, St. Lucia Tuesday 30th March, 2010

2. Overview Genesis of the SMMA Institutional Review Challenges Future

3. Geographic Location

4. SMMA Satellite View

5. Soufrière

6. Fishing Industry • Traditional artisanal fishing • Small pirogues/canoes with one outboard engine • Particularly dependent on coastal resources • Fishers rely heavily on transient schools of coastal pelagics (mackerel, balahou, [flying fish]) • Far from productive fishing banks • other valuable species like tuna, dolphin fish • Seines, Pots, Lines, Spearguns, Fillet Nets. GillNets

7. Tourism

8. Tipping Point! • User Conflict • Over resource access • Fishers and Recreational users • Pot Fishers and Divers • Seine Fishers and Yachts anchoring • Fishers and Fishers Degradation of resource base • A result of over-exploitation of the reefs: • a) overfishing • b) improper fishing practices • c) destruction of reef from anchoring • d) land based sources of marine pollution

9. Experimental Project • Intensive Stakeholder consultations • National initiative on System of Protected Areas (SLNT and CANARI) • Community Consultations • Led by: SRDF, DoF & CANARI • Stakeholders include Fishers, Residents, Proprietors, etc.

10. Soufriere Marine Management Area • "Agreement on the Use and Management of the Marine and Coastal Resources in the Soufriere Region, St. Lucia” • Zoning management tool

12. Marine Reserves • These areas are created to protect marine biodiversity • Fishing and all other extractive activities are not permitted Fairyland

13. Fishing Priority Areas • Priority is given to fishing over all other activities

14. Yacht Mooring Areas • These areas provide anchorage for local and visiting yachters and recreational boaters

15. Multiple Use Areas • Fishing, Scuba diving, careful anchoring and other approved activities are allowed

16. Recreational Areas • Recreational Areas – sites for public recreation Sulphur Springs Petit Piton Malgretoute Beach

17. Legal Issues • Inadequate legislative basis • Lack of Enforcement • Agreement non binding

18. Institutional Review • Strengths/Weaknesses Analysis • Restructure management body • Cabinet Conclusion 1648 of 1999 • LFMA • Not For Profit Company. Incorporated • BoD • Stakeholder committee • Mission and Vision

19. Mission Statement The mission of the Soufriere Marine Management Area is to contribute to national and local development, particularly in the fisheries and tourism sectors, through the management of the coastal zone of Soufriere, based on the principles of sustainable use, cooperation among resource users, institutional collaboration, active and enlightened local participation, and equitable sharing of benefits and responsibilities among stakeholders. 19

20. Equitable Sharing of Resources • Reduced user conflict with zoning agreement • Mitigation role • Conflict management • Beach access • Influence policy and development in various fora • Watercraft Advisory Committee • Pitons Management Area Advisory Committee • GEF National Focal Group • Saint Lucia National Trust member • Soufriere Small Business Association (inactive) • ANBAGLO • Safety and Security Committee • Review EIAs for development within CAMMA and SMMA

21. Current Challenges • Threats • Land Use Policy • Comprehensive National Development Plan • Succession Planning • Capacity Building • Evaluation and Monitoring

22. Land Based Pollution

23. Ship Wreck

24. Coastal Development Footprint

25. Look into the future • Adaptive Management • Strategic Development Plan • Systematic monitoring of status of resources and users • Proactive and informed management • Information dissemination • Community Pillar • Champion for environmental conservation

26. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.  Native American Proverb

27. Thank You!